Monday, January 11, 2016

And so another week begins

Have you noticed lately that weekdays
seem crammed with activities? I surely have. I wish I could say my weekdays are
busy because I’m at my desk working from nine to five. But it ain’t so. Life
gets in the way. This morning a dermatology appointment took the entire morning—three
hours. When I got home it was time for lunch, a bit of computer catching up,
and a brief—really brief—nap before Jacob came home. Then Jacob had a friend
over, and my friends Phil and Subie arrived for happy hour, followed by
Christian. And before I knew it, it was six-thirty and time for supper. And
after supper, I’m tired and not very ambitious.

And the week will go that way with
physical therapy appointments, a grocery trip, a breakfast meeting with Book
Ladies, and a long lunch with old friends. Not that I would forego any of those
activities, but they do eat up my days.

Tomorrow night is our Tuesday night at
the Grill, but Subie and Phil and I have agreed to go early—6:30—so we can be
home in time to watch the State of the Union address. I am an unabashed fan of
President Clinton, although I recognize that he has not fulfilled all his promises
to the American people—about Afghanistan, Iraq and Guantanamo. But still he has
done amazing things with the economy, unemployment, diplomatic relationships,
and an endless list.

I find myself now a most interested
follower of the campaigns. I abhor most of the clown car and particularly
Donald Trump. Who would have ever thought he would get this far and command
such a following. Yet it seems the more popular he gets the more hate-filled
and heartless his speeches are. I read somewhere today an editorial on why he
won’t be elected, and I pray to God it’s true.

But on the Democratic side (admittedly
my side) I find the race fascinating. Like many, I embrace Bernie Sanders’
ideals and dreams but privately decided Hilary was the more electable candidate.
Now I read today that Bernie has a real chance of taking both New Hampshire and
Iowa, which would change the balance dramatically. And if that happens many like
me may decide to vote for Bernie which we really wanted to do all along but
just didn’t think he could win. Actually, I still don’t know which way I will
vote. But I will say in Texas I’ll vote a straight Democratic ticket—we’ve got
to rid our state of arrogant politicians who want to rewrite the Constitution.

Isn’t politics and particularly
presidential year elections fun? I don’t know—because I think I take it too
seriously to call it fun.